NASHVILLE MLS APPOINTS FIRST
GENERAL MANAGER
Mike Jacobs is first hire for CEO Ian Ayre on MLS technical staff
NASHVILLE (October 30, 2018) – Nashville’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team announced the hiring
of Mike Jacobs as General Manager for Soccer Operations on Tuesday morning.
Jacobs will maintain his current position as Technical Director with Nashville SC of the United Soccer
League (USL) and transition into his new MLS role during the 2019 season.
“I am excited to announce Mike’s appointment as General Manager in the early stages of our club’s
development,” said Nashville MLS CEO Ian Ayre. “Mike has significant experience in the U.S. Soccer
industry both at the collegiate and professional level, and his varied expertise across the game is a key
skill set as we embark on our Major League Soccer journey. In my experience, building successful teams
is all about matching the best talent to the right opportunity. Mike’s knowledge of the U.S. soccer
landscape and his creative approach to building a roster are crucial factors as we begin assembling a team
and the associated infrastructure needed to create a successful soccer club.”
Nashville MLS lead owner John Ingram commented, “Having had the opportunity to see Mike’s work
with our USL franchise in 2018, where he played a key part in assembling our successful roster for the
season, I am delighted to see him transition into this prominent role with MLS.”
Prior to arriving in Nashville, Jacobs was the Assistant Technical Director for Sporting Kansas City of
MLS from 2015-17. He helped oversee the club’s U.S. Open Cup Championships in 2015 and 2017, in
addition to Sporting KC’s CONCACAF Champions League appearance in 2016. Jacobs also served as
President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the world’s largest soccer
coaches organization, in 2016. His collegiate soccer background includes roles as Head Coach for the
University of Evansville Men’s team and Assistant Coach for Duke University.
“With a career in sport that has developed over many years and in a variety of soccer environments, I am
grateful and excited to be given the opportunity to hold this position for Nashville as we head to Major
League Soccer,” said Jacobs. “Nashville and its soccer aspirations are both headed in an upward
trajectory, and I am proud for myself, and my family, to be a part of this incredible journey.”
###
About Nashville MLS
Nashville MLS is Nashville’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Club. MLS awarded its 24th team to
Nashville in December 2017. Learn more about Nashville MLS at www.mls2nashville.com.
NASHVILLE MLS APPOINTS FIRST GENERAL MANAGER
By Cliff McArdle
Oct 30, 2018 | 9:18 AM